Generation of LexA enhancer-trap lines in Drosophila by an international scholastic network

Conditional gene regulation in Drosophila through binary expression systems like the LexA-LexAop system provides a superb tool for investigating gene and tissue function. To increase the availability of defined LexA enhancer trap insertions, we present molecular, genetic, and tissue expression studies of 301 novel Stan-X LexA enhancer traps derived from mobilization of the index SX4 line. This includes insertions into distinct loci on the X, II, and III chromosomes that were not previously associated with enhancer traps or targeted LexA constructs, an insertion into ptc, and seventeen insertions into natural transposons. A subset of enhancer traps was expressed in CNS neurons known to produce and secrete insulin, an essential regulator of growth, development, and metabolism. Fly lines described here were generated and characterized through studies by students and teachers in an international network of genetics classes at public, independent high schools, and universities serving a diversity of students, including those underrepresented in science. Thus, a unique partnership between secondary schools and university-based programs has produced and characterized novel resources in Drosophila, establishing instructional paradigms devoted to unscripted experimental science.

91 An audit of COVID-19 Awareness and Public Health Message Effectiveness in the Hospital Setting Over the Course of the Pandemic

Introduction

An audit of healthcare workers investigated the effectiveness of Public Health England’s (PHE) information campaign across COVID’s timeline and assess knowledge between job roles.

Method

Data was collected across 3 cycles in 3 hospitals. A questionnaire assessed four domains: symptoms; spread; risk factors and the means to reduce transmission. PHE materials were shown before cycle 2 and respondents then subjected to the general campaign.

Results

253 responses were collected. Symptom recognition was 84%, increasing to 88% post-intervention, longer-term recognition remained high at 81% - including the new symptom of anosmia.

Identification of COVID’s means of transmission increased from 76% to 95% post intervention, risk factor recognition increased from 85% to 93% post-intervention. This fell to 74% later in the pandemic when recognised risk factors increased. Recognition of the new risk factors BAME status and BMI was 73% and 79% respectively in the final cycle.

Doctors had the highest number of pre-intervention correct answers for 3 domains and nurses gave the most incorrect answers for 3 domains pre-intervention.

Conclusions

We have shown the PHE message is being transmitted effectively. We have also shown an increase in hospital workers recognition of aspects of COVIDs characteristics that have since been verified in the literature.

Peritonitis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis {CAPD): A Multi-Centre Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Y Connector Disinfectant System to Standard Systems

sixty-one new continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients were allocated to a Y connector disinfectant (Amuchina, Italy) and 63 to standard systems (Baxter Systems II & III) in a randomized clinical trial addressing peritonitis rates in 8 CAPD programs in 6 Canadian cities. In the Y connector-disinfectant group, 15 patients experienced 21 episodes of peritonitis in 452 patient-months or 1 per 21.53 patient-months. In the standard systems group, 30 patients experienced 47 episodes of peritonitis in 467 patient-months or 1 per 9.93 patient-months ( p = 0.009). The peritonitis risk reduction was 61% (95% confidence limits 27–79%). Exit-site infections occurred in 36% of each group.

Prior to the development of exit -site infection, the monthly risk for peritonitis was 3.12% for the Y connector disinfectant system and 7.37% for the standard system. After an exit -site infection, these probabilities increased to 6.15% and 15.47%, respectively. Skin organisms were responsible for peritonitis in 8/21 (38%) in the Y connector-disinfectant group and 30/47 (64%) in the standard group. There were 75 days hospitalized for peritonitis in the Y connector-disinfectant group compared to 257 days for the standard group. The Y connector disinfectant system decreases the peritonitis rate through its effect on skin organisms. Exit -site infections are a major source of organisms responsible for peritonitis.